On February 12th, the West Austin Youth Association (WAYA) marked its 45th anniversary at its Legacy Luncheon. The event brought together past and current board members, community volunteers, financial supporters, and WAYA staff to celebrate the organization's continued success in serving local youth and families.
Brent Metschan, WAYA’s current president, kicked off the event with a heartfelt thank-you to attendees for their ongoing support. Family Day Chairs Katie Romano, Linsey Nixon, Wesley Joseph, and Jessica Pieratt unveiled the theme for Family Day 2025—“WAYA City Limits”—and invited everyone to join the festivities on Friday, April 11th.
WAYA Executive Director Melissa Morrow thanked the event’s sponsors, including HEB, for providing lunch and presenting sponsor Dell Children’s Ascension. She commended the chairs, past board members, and staff for their tireless efforts to create a place where children and families can thrive.
During her address, Morrow honored past board members for their vision in creating a safe, fun space for children to play, learn, and grow. “You have made a place (WAYA) where kids can learn life lessons on the field and in the classroom every single day. How to play, win, lose and be a good sport no matter the outcome. To play with integrity, to make friends, and sometimes after a hard-fought game, lose graciously and then have the resilience to show up for the next game ready to go and have fun.” She said.
WAYA’s Director of Operations, Rich Morrison, shared exciting updates on facility improvements and future plans. Recent upgrades, including new LED gym lights, gym garage doors, additional storage space, and parking lot paving, have enhanced the safety and functionality of the complex. He also announced the groundbreaking of a new, state-of-the-art multipurpose field, which will be completed this spring. “This field isn’t just about aesthetics- it's about safety, performance, and longevity,” Morrison stated. The new turf field will feature a Brock pad underneath to reduce injury risk and a natural infill to keep it cooler and more eco-friendly.
Preschool Director Yvette Aguilar concluded the program with an inspiring quote from Whitney Houston’s song, The Greatest Love of All: “I believe the children are our future; teach them well and let them lead the way.” She reminded the audience that WAYA’s community is here to support children through their growth, fostering an environment where they can have fun, learn resilience, and build lasting memories.
As the event ended, attendees were reminded of the powerful impact of their vision and commitment, knowing that their support has changed the lives of children for the better. In the spirit of WAYA’s mission, Aguilar left everyone with a heartfelt reminder: “As you go, always remember to play, play, play!”
